Suspected COVID-19 flu-like syndrome in men who have sex with men and have been involved in casual sex

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the presence of flu-like syndrome suggestive of COVID-19 in men who have sex with men (MSM) and engaged in casual sex during a period of social isolation. Method: National epidemiological survey, applied in April and May 2020, by adaptation of Respondent Drive Sampling. Results: 1,337 MSM participated in the survey, of which 514 (38.4%) had fever associated with another sign or symptom of flu-like syndrome. Social, demographic characteristics, sexual practices and activities during the period of social isolation were statistically associated with the presence of flu-like syndrome. There was a statistical difference (p < 0.001) in the average of partners between those who had signs and symptoms of flu-like syndrome (3.5) and those who did not (1.7). Conclusion: Evidence of signs and symptoms indicative of flu-like syndrome suggestive of COVID 19 in Brazilian MSM who were involved in casual sex during the period of social isolation.

Low Psychological Well-being in Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) During the Shelter-in-Place Orders to Prevent the COVID-19 Spread: Results from a Nationwide Study

“…Additionally, opportunities to find affective and sexual partners decreased during the period of social isolation, with such efforts largely restricted to online platforms and social networks. This may also negatively affect these individuals’ psychological well-being and impact their mental health (Sousa et al, 2020a ; Carvalho et al, 2020 ).…”

“…3. Sexual practices and activities during the pandemic, i.e., casual sex (Carvalho et al, 2020 ), sex with the consumption of drugs (Sousa et al, 2020a , b )’ use of condoms, protection strategies, the strategy used to search for partners, frequency of sexual encounters, and protective measures against COVID-19.…”

“…The impact of these measures on the individuals’ mental health produces considerable impairment in terms of psychological and social well-being throughout the pandemic. The literature has addressed the pandemic’s impact on the maintenance of affective and sexual practices, including the establishment of barriers impeding access to health services that are necessary to maintain therapeutic processes and care technologies (Sousa et al, 2020a , b , c ; Carvalho et al, 2020 ; Torres et al, 2020 ). From this perspective, there is a lack of concrete governmental action directed to MSM during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Low Psychological Well-Being in Men Who Have Sex With Men (Msm) During the Shelter-in-Place Orders to Prevent the Covid-19 Spread: Results From a Nationwide Study

“…Sexual practice and activities during the pandemic (i.e., casual sex (Carvalho, et al, 2020); sex with the consumption of drugs (Sousa, et al, 2020); use of condoms, protection strategies, strategy used to search for partners, frequency of sexual encounters, and protective measures against COVID-19)…”

“…The results reported by a global survey performed by Hornet (Greenhalgh, 2020), a Gay social network, commissioned by the Thomson Reuters Foundation to be conducted among men who have sex with men (MSM), reveal considerable levels of loneliness and depression associated with shelter-in-place measures, emphasizing their broader impact on the individuals’ mental health, which may imply greater impairment in terms of psychological and social well-being throughout the pandemic. The literature has addressed the pandemic’s impact on the maintenance of affective and sexual practices, including the establishment of barriers impeding access to health services, necessary to maintain therapeutic processes and care technologies (Sousa, Oliveira, Schneider, Queiroz, Carvalho, Fronteira, 2020; Carvalho, et al, 2020; Torres et al, 2020). From this perspective, there is a lack of concrete governmental actions directed to MSM during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”